Cats & Kittens: Developmental Stages

Cats are becoming the pet of choice here in the United States. Unfortunately many people still subscribe to the dark ages of thinking when it comes to those fabulous felines.

In a recent pet magazine I read all about young animals but when it came to kittens–they were given only a measly mention instead of a full section on the topic.

Socializing cats should no longer be an option–it is a crucial piece to creating a calm and well adjusted feline.

Many people today send kittens or puppies away from the birth home too quickly. In fact, some behavior problems (such as inappropriate suckling) are thought to be a direct result of early removal of kittens.

Although kittens will wean around six to seven weeks of age, many will continue to comfort suckle. The queen (female cat) gradually leaves the litter for longer periods of time.

Ideally, kittens will remain with the queen and litter for at least 12 weeks–and in some breeds 14 would be better.

As kittens grow it is important to have human contact. Talking, handling, and playtime helps them to acclimate to humans. If you can invite kids, friends, and other family members to help you in this process your kittens will develop a good well rounded foundation that will serve them well later.

When young kittens are orphaned or separated from the queen and litter mates they usually fail to develop good social skills with others of their kind.

This is because during day-to-day interactions they learn body language signals, clawing and biting inhibition. Play and interactions also help them to develop physical coordination and understanding of fluctuations in social status.

Brain development is though to be enhanced by handling and environmental enrichment if provided for regularly for the first seven weeks of life. Most of my clients are encouraged to give quality time to their pets at least 30 minutes twice a day–if not more.

Many of my breeder pals often hand me their animal babies (birds, cats, and dogs) even asking me to pet them when their eyes are closed (some believe that they should not be handled until after two weeks of age) because they think that it makes them more resilient, able to handle change more readily, and habituates them to strangers–and any changes (stress) in the environment.

Today, you can enroll in kitten kindergarten classes to learn how to help your kitten become a good citizen and social beast.

Classes are still not as common as puppy preschool but my belief is that these courses, along with pet parenting schools, are going to make long term differences in the life and behavior of the animal.

The big PLUS is that these lessons will help keep them in the home…because early education prevents the problems that land cats and kittens in shelters or abandoned to a cruel fate.

General guidelines on kitten development:

Neonate Period (0-2 Weeks)

*Stay close to mom and litter mates.

*Orient toward noise.

*Root (squirmy movement) to feed.

*Low level competition for territory (nipple) and rank.

*Learning skills and socialization to others is thought to come from separation from mother and litter mates during this phase. Critical for developmental learning to be in a stable group.

Social Period (2 to 7 Weeks)

*Week Two: Eyes are usually open.

*Week Three: Both smell and sight is developed enough for them to find their mother.

*Week Four: Smelling skills mature and hearing is good. Interactions with siblings increases. Teeth begin to erupt and they can walk fairly well.

*Week Five: Sight is mature and kittens can run, right themselves when turned over, avoid obstacles, begin to stalk and pounce, and step precisely.

*Begin to groom themselves and participate in social grooming with others.

*Observational Learning: During this period kittens are refining their social skills and physical coordination. Learning in this period comes from observation (and interactions) with the mother, litter mates, humans, and other cats.

Comments

A stray has adopted us. She is about 4 weeks old. Now separated from mother and siblings, she will miss their influence as she develops. What can we do to make sure we don’t end up with a neurotic and asocial cat?

Hard to say, I am guessing that you don’t have other animal in the home? See if you can get some social interactions with other animals on a regular basis–it is the best way that animals learn restraint and social rules. Talk to some of the local cat rescues–they might have some resources for you or help you socialize the kitten.